CanPowerSkate is an action-packed, high energy instructional power skating program geared to hockey and ringette skaters that focuses on balance, power, agility, speed and endurance. Skills, techniques and conditioning drills are taught in a progressive format that emphasizes how the skills apply to game situations. CanPowerSkate provides an alternative to figure skating and is an excellent complement for those athletes playing on hockey or ringette teams. Its unique skill award program provides incentives and motivation for skaters to continue to achieve.

CanPowerSkate is geared to skaters aged six or older who already have basic forward and backward skating skills (they must be able to skate the length of the rink using alternate strides) and can stop on command without use of the boards.

MHSC has divided the CanPower Program into a couple of smaller groups to make sure that Skaters are being challenged appropriately. There may be several skaters on the ice at the same time from all the programs

For safety reasons, participants are required to wear full hockey/ringette CSA approved equipment including helmet with full face mask/shield and a stick.

Benefits of CanPowerSkate

CanPowerSkate is the only nationally regulated power skating program in Canada. It was developed by a team of hockey, figure skating and ringette experts to teach the fundamentals of power skating progressively and sequentially.

When you/your child registers for a CanPowerSkate program at your local Skate Canada club, you also become a member of Skate Canada, the national sport governing body for figure skating in Canada. Membership benefits in the CanPowerSkate program can include:

• participation in a unique skill testing system which includes award bars and ribbons

• parent information sheets

• progress updates and report cards

• special CanPowerSkate events and club functions

• opportunity to be talent-scouted

• opportunity to participate in a healthy lifestyle activity

Skaters will be given awards and incentives to encourage athletes throughout the CanPowerSkate program.

How does CanPowerSkate work?

The CanPowerSkate program consists of skills divided into six levels, arranged in progressions gradually increasing in complexity. Levels 1 to 3 focus on the fundamentals of skating, Levels 4 to 6 place additional focus on the acquisition of efficient technique, speed, agility, technical aspects of stride and acceleration and skating with the puck/ring. Skaters are evaluated on skill level and are timed as they perform a test involving skills in a course-like pattern. The skater receives a mark combining his skill performance plus test time. This determines whether the skater receives a Bronze, Silver or Gold award bar for that Level.

The CanPowerSkate program is exclusive to Skate Canada and is available only to Skate Canada member clubs and sanctioned skating schools. All participants must be registered with Skate Canada. Only Skate Canada member Coaches trained and certified at a CanPowerSkate Coaches Course are qualified to instruct the CanPowerSkate program.